CVE-2010-3812 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the Text::wholeText method in dom/Text.cpp in WebKit, as used in Apple Safari before 5.0.3 on Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.6 and Windows, and before 4.1.3 on Mac OS X 10.4; webkitgtk before 1.2.6; and possibly other products allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via vectors involving Text objects.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-3812 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within WebKit's Text::wholeText method implementation in the dom/Text.cpp file. This vulnerability affects multiple browser implementations including Apple Safari versions prior to 5.0.3 on Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.6 and Windows platforms, as well as older versions of webkitgtk before 1.2.6. The flaw manifests when processing Text objects in web content, creating a condition where integer arithmetic operations can exceed their maximum representable values, leading to unpredictable behavior. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to memory corruption vulnerabilities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when malicious web content triggers the Text::wholeText method with specially crafted text data that causes integer overflow during calculations involving text object sizes or offsets. When the integer overflow occurs, it can result in incorrect memory calculations that may lead to buffer overflows, memory corruption, or other exploitable conditions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems, making it a significant threat vector for web-based attacks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables remote code execution through web browser exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-3812 extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially full system compromise when exploited successfully. Affected users running vulnerable versions of Safari or webkitgtk applications face significant risk from malicious websites that could trigger this vulnerability through crafted HTML content containing specially constructed text nodes. The vulnerability affects multiple operating systems and browser implementations, making it a widespread concern that required immediate patching across affected platforms. Organizations using these vulnerable versions faced potential data breaches, system compromise, and denial of service conditions. The integer overflow condition creates a predictable exploitation pattern that attackers could reliably use to gain unauthorized access to systems, particularly affecting corporate environments where users might encounter malicious web content through phishing campaigns or compromised websites.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of affected software versions to the latest secure releases, which typically include proper integer overflow checks and bounds validation in the Text::wholeText method implementation. System administrators should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block malicious web content that might trigger this vulnerability. Additionally, browser hardening measures including sandboxing, privilege separation, and strict content security policies can reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar integer overflow conditions in their web applications and browser-based systems. The remediation process requires careful testing of patched versions to ensure that legitimate web content continues to function properly while eliminating the exploitable integer overflow conditions that could be leveraged for remote code execution attacks.